Chief Executive Officer – Re-advertisement

Employment Opportunities

Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC)

On behalf of our client, the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), we invite suitably qualified and experienced candidates to apply for the positions of Chief Executive Officer (Re-advertisement), Quality Assurance Manager, and Advocacy and Communication Officer.

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Chief Executive Officer – Re-advertisement

This role will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to ESHEC, ensuring operational excellence, financial sustainability, and effective regulation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The role encompasses quality assurance, research promotion, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilisation to support the growth and transformation of higher education in Eswatini.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to ESHEC in alignment with national education priorities.

• Lead and manage a professional team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and resource mobilisation to ensure sustainability.

• Provide strategic leadership in mobilizing and leveraging diverse financial resources, including government funding, donor support, grants, and private sector investments to ensure organizational sustainability.

• Ensure transparent and accountable financial practices across the organisation.

• Develop and implement quality assurance and accreditation frameworks for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

• Monitor institutional compliance with regulatory and quality standards.

• Promote research, innovation, and programme development across the higher education sector.

• Drive policy reforms aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and inclusive practices in higher education.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government, donors, and private sector.

• Engage with national and international stakeholders to strengthen higher education systems.

• Monitor progress against strategic goals and prepare reports for the Council, stakeholders and partners.

• Represent ESHEC in national and international forums to advance its mission and visibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of higher education regulation and quality assurance.

• Proven strategic leadership and visionary thinking.

• Ability to mobilise resources and build strategic partnerships.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public service.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Education, Quality Assurance or related field.

• Proven experience in strategic management, financial management, and team leadership.

• PhD in Education, Quality Assurance, or related field would be an added advantage.

• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant experience in higher education regulation, quality assurance, accreditation, or academic leadership.

• Experience in international quality assurance standards.

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Quality Assurance Manager

This role is mandated with leading the Council’s quality assurance and accreditation functions, overseeing institutional registration, programme accreditation, audits, and compliance monitoring to safeguard the quality of higher education in Eswatini. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation and implementation of the Council’s quality assurance strategy.

• Lead and coordinate institutional registration, programme accreditation, audits, and compliance monitoring in accordance with the Higher Education Act and national quality standards.

• Develop and implement quality assurance policies, frameworks, and guidelines to strengthen standards across the higher education sector.

• Develop and maintain quality assurance departmental budget for the council.

• Maintain a robust business risk register; and adequately manage risks that could hinder the organization’s strategy.

• Coordination of stakeholder education on legislation, regulations and overall compliance requirements.

• Serve as Lead quality assurance auditor and oversight of institutional audits.

• Oversee the management of the Quality Assurance team, ensuring effective delivery of functions and adherence to high professional and ethical standards.

• Manage external evaluation and peer review processes, including the appointment and coordination of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of higher education institutions and prepare quality assurance reports and recommendations for management and Council.

• Provide strategic advice on quality assurance and accreditation while staying abreast on emerging trends and best practices in higher education.

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with higher education institutions, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and international quality assurance networks.

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Chief Executive Officer in support of the Council’s mandate and strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic leadership and decision-making.

• Stakeholder engagement and effective strategic partnership building capability.

• Policy development and regulatory analysis.

• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, or a related field (PhD will be an added advantage).

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in higher education regulation, quality assurance, accreditation, or academic leadership.

• Proven experience leading teams and managing accreditation processes.

• In-depth knowledge of higher education legislation, accreditation standards, and quality assurance frameworks.

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Advocacy and Communication Officer

This role is responsible for developing and implementing the Council’s advocacy, branding, and communication strategies to enhance public awareness and strengthen the Council’s visibility and reputation. The role strategically engages stakeholders, manages media relations including providing counsel to the Board on crisis communication and ensures proactive dissemination of information to effectively position the Council’s brand. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advocacy, branding, and communication strategies to promote the Council’s mandate and strengthen public awareness of its services.

• Manage the Council’s corporate identity, media relations, website, and digital communication platforms to ensure consistent branding and accurate public information.

• Coordinate public awareness campaigns, outreach programmes, and corporate events that enhance the visibility of the Council’s work.

• Produce and coordinate communication materials, including press releases, newsletters, publications, advocacy briefs, and annual reports.

• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment relating to the Council, advising management on communication strategy, reputation management, and media crisis response.

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and advocacy initiatives with government institutions, professional bodies, industry stakeholders, and regional or international organisations.

• Facilitate the establishment of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local professional bodies and key industry players to strengthen collaboration.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in establishing and maintaining strategic relationships that advance the Council’s mandate.

• Serve as the primary media liaison for the Council, managing media engagements, enquiries, and public statements.

• Lead the development and implementation of corporate communication policies, procedures, and related frameworks to ensure consistent, effective, and compliant communication across the Council.

• Maintain a comprehensive communication and advocacy risk register and develop proactive mitigation strategies to safeguard the Council’s reputation.

• Support internal communication, contribute to policy development, and oversee the implementation of communication systems in alignment with the Data Protection Act, 2022.

• Develop and maintain the departmental budget for advocacy and communications in accordance with corporate strategy.

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Chief Executive Officer to support the Council’s strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic Communication and Advocacy

• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Media Relations and Public Affairs Management

• Content Development and Digital Communication

• Research, Policy Communication and Analytical Skills

• Professional Integrity and Strategic Judgment

Qualifications and Experience

• Honours / Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Policy, Marketing, or a related field.

• Membership in a recognised professional communications body such as PRISA is an added advantage.

• Master’s degree in Corporate Communications, Public Policy, or related field is advantageous.

• Minimum of 6 years’ relevant experience in communications, advocacy, media relations, or public relations.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies.

• Valid Driver’s License.

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Application Details

Written applications accompanied by certified copies of academic certificates must be submitted together with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae. All applications will be acknowledged.

Closing date for applications: 18 March 2026.
Only emailed applications will be accepted. Late applications will not be accepted.

If you do not receive further correspondence within one month of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

The position for which you are applying must be clearly specified in the subject line.

Apply in writing to:

The Recruitment Manager
SNG Grant Thornton (Pty) Ltd
Umkhwiha House, Lot 195
Kali Grant Street, Mbabane

Email: recruitment.sz@sng.gt.com